S.1566 - Preventing Power Outages Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1566, the Preventing Power Outages Act, aims to extend and enhance a program focused on improving the resilience of the electric grid. The bill amends Section 40101 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, specifically targeting the prevention of power outages. It emphasizes the use of reliability indices (SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI) in grant allocation and project prioritization.
The bill prioritizes entities with lower grid reliability, as indicated by higher SAIDI, SAIFI, or CAIDI scores, for grant consideration. It also clarifies that grant applications should not be penalized for focusing on a single type of grid improvement activity. Finally, it extends the program's funding availability through 2031.
Overall, the bill seeks to improve the reliability of the electric grid by strategically allocating resources to areas and entities that need it most, using objective metrics to guide decision-making.
Expected Effects
The Preventing Power Outages Act will likely lead to a more resilient and reliable electric grid, particularly in areas with historically poor performance. By prioritizing areas with lower reliability scores, the bill directs resources to where they are most needed.
This could result in fewer power outages, reduced economic disruption, and improved quality of life for residents and businesses in affected areas. The extension of funding through 2031 provides long-term stability for grid improvement projects.
Furthermore, the clarification regarding grant application criteria may encourage more focused and effective project proposals. This focused approach could lead to more efficient use of resources and better outcomes.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Grid Reliability: Reduced frequency and duration of power outages.
- Targeted Resource Allocation: Prioritizes areas with the greatest need for grid improvements.
- Economic Benefits: Minimizes economic losses associated with power outages for businesses and individuals.
- Enhanced Public Safety: Ensures critical infrastructure and services remain operational during emergencies.
- Long-Term Investment: Extends funding availability, providing stability for grid modernization efforts.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Inefficient Spending: Reliance on historical data (SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI) may not fully capture emerging risks or future needs.
- Administrative Burden: Implementing and tracking the reliability indices could create additional administrative costs.
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses primarily on grid resilience and may not address other important aspects of energy policy, such as renewable energy development.
- Possible Unintended Consequences: The emphasis on specific metrics could lead to gaming of the system or neglect of other important factors.
- Delayed Impact: The benefits of grid improvements may not be immediately apparent and could take several years to materialize.
Constitutional Alignment
The Preventing Power Outages Act appears to align with the US Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Preamble). This clause allows Congress to enact legislation that promotes the well-being of the nation, which includes ensuring a reliable energy infrastructure.
Furthermore, Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, which can be interpreted to include the regulation of interstate electricity transmission. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, so the federal government's role must be balanced with state authority over energy policy.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).